Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome

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Stem cell transplantation for type 1 diabetes mellitus

Júlio C Voltarelli* and Carlos EB Couri

Author Affiliations

Department of Clinical Medicine, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Brazil

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Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome 2009, 1:4 doi:10.1186/1758-5996-1-4

Published: 16 September 2009

Abstract

Background

The use of stem cells to treat type 1 diabetes mellitus has been proposed for many years, both to downregulate the immune system and to provide β cell regeneration.

Conclusion

High dose immunosuppression followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is able to induce complete remission (insulin independence) in most patients with early onset type 1 diabetes mellitus.